Is TVK Chief Vijay Targeting Stalin and BJP Over Fishermen's Rights?

Chennai, Sep 20 (NationPress) The founder of Tamilaga Vettri Kazhagam (TVK), Vijay, intensified his political critique on Saturday during the second phase of his statewide campaign, accusing Chief Minister M.K. Stalin of prioritizing personal investments over attracting industries to Tamil Nadu.

While addressing a large audience at the Puthur roundabout near the Anna Statue in Nagapattinam, Vijay questioned, “Are these foreign trips intended to draw investment to the State or to secure personal investments abroad?” He argued that despite promises of large-scale projects, areas like Nagapattinam remain plagued by underdevelopment.

Vijay sharply criticized the treatment of fishermen's rights, asserting that both the BJP and the DMK have engaged in a “politics of exclusion,” treating fishermen from other states as “Indians” while labeling those from Tamil Nadu as merely “Tamil fishermen.” He rebuked the Chief Minister for limiting his actions to letter-writing without following up with tangible measures.

The TVK leader accused the DMK government of attempting to intimidate him by placing limits on his campaigning efforts. “We are instructed on how to sit inside the bus, how high to raise our hands, and are given cramped spaces instead of open grounds. Chief Minister, are you trying to threaten me?” Vijay declared that he would not back down. “Instead of hiding, confront me directly in the elections,” he urged.

He recounted that during his earlier campaign leg, his event in Tiruchi was interrupted when the speaker's wire was reportedly cut, and a power outage occurred before his arrival in Ariyalur. “Would such treatment be given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi or an RSS leader? No, because there is a concealed alliance between the DMK and BJP,” he alleged.

Vijay explained his choice to campaign on weekends to minimize public disruption, expressing pride in starting this leg from Nagapattinam, a region that embodies Tamil Nadu’s working-class heritage in fisheries and agriculture, along with a rich multicultural background. He criticized the DMK government for neglecting issues such as drinking water shortages, the lack of a fish processing center, inadequate facilities at the Nagapattinam bus stand, unfilled positions at the Nagore Andavar Government Hospital maternity ward, and exposed paddy at direct purchase centers due to insufficient storage.

He also called for the regulation of prawn farms to protect traditional fishermen and advocated for the development of Velankanni and Nagore as tourist attractions. Vijay reminded attendees of his longstanding advocacy for fishermen’s rights since 2011, as well as his support for Sri Lankan Tamils. He expressed regret to the residents of Perambalur for not being able to campaign there last week due to “restrictions,” promising to return.

The actor-turned-politician’s pointed remarks indicate an escalating rivalry with both the ruling DMK and the BJP, as his TVK seeks to broaden its grassroots presence ahead of the 2026 Assembly elections.